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Bye Bye Broughton; Gone to Rushden but still a Drewe Blue

Last updated : 12 February 2005 By Matt Donohue

DDDDDRRRRREEEEEWWWWWEEEEE
It was on the 10th June 2003 that Drewe Broughton put his signature to a contract that would commit him to playing for Southend for two years although as we know he did not see out his contract. The six foot three inches high Broughton joined the ‘Wignall Revolution’ as Southend looked for promotion in the 2003/2004 season. Broughton was joined that season by Carl Emberson, Duncan Jupp, Jamie Stuart, Mark Warren, Mark Gower, Jimmy Corbett, Ryan Robinson, Che Wilson, Michael Husbands, Leke Odunsi, Jamie Fullarton and Leon Constantine as Wignall ringed in the changes.

The first pre-season friendly saw Broughton up against Division 1 side Ipswich Town. Despite losing by four goals to two Broughton had an excellent game and was awarded the ‘Sponsors Man of the Match.’ It seemed as if Broughton’s season was going to be a good one as Southend looked to be moving in the right direction with Stewart Robson and Steve Wignall. The first game of the season saw Southend face previously relegated Cheltenham Town where Broughton lead the line brilliantly as the Shrimpers recorded a 2-0 win, Mark Gower getting both of the goals. Broughton did hit the back of the net that day and was mid celebration when he realised that the linesman’s flag had been raised and the goal disallowed. Drewe did not have to wait much longer for his first goal as he netted in the Carling Cup match against Swindon Town. Southend were unlucky to lose having had the lead on two occasions.

Broughton’s fortune at Southend significantly declined after this matches it was a long time until he next found the back of the net. Despite being spurred on by ‘DDDDDRRRRRREEEEEWWWWWWEEEEEE’ chants Broughton was incredibly inconsistent. He was considered to be very good in the air however in front of goal Broughton was of wasteful and fans became frustrated with his efforts. During his times out of the first team Broughton found himself in the reserve side. He was equally unsuccessful playing for Blues Twos and was shown a red card against Northampton reserves by referee Jarnal Singh. Despite Broughton’s best efforts he was often incredibly frustrated in most of the games that he played in and was still without a Football League goal in a Southend shirt.

TLG Reporter Matt Donohue, SUFC Supporter Martin Paterson, Drewe and Jay Smith posing at Northampton
Broughton had a great chance to change this statistic in the final league match before Christmas as the Shrimpers faced the Bristol Rovers at Roots Hall. Southend were faced with a long relegation battle and manager Steve Wignall had been sacked due to the side’s very poor form. The Pirates won this game 1-0 but Southend missed two penalties and Broughton was guilty of one of these misses after he failed to hit the target from just twelve yards. Broughton’s luck did not improve in upcoming games as the Christmas period did not bring Broughton what he really wanted, a goal. In fact I think Scrooge was dishing out the presents to Drewe! It was on 28th December that highflying Oxford United visited the Hall and Broughton was dismissed from the field for two cautions by referee Ian Williamson. This dismissal would see him miss the F.A. Cup Replay against Scarborough. However it was the 1st game against Scarborough that Broughton took a lot of stick for. The Shrimpers were one goal up and looking as if they were to go into the hat for the 4th round. Broughton went through on goal to make it 2-0 but failed to find the back on the net. Scarborough equalised and then won the replay to face Chelsea. Drewe Broughton or Goal Droughton was the discussion at the time however Drewe always gave 110% and there could be few moans with his effort.

Drewe was finally rewarded for his work in a Friday night fixture against Cheltenham Town. Broughton’s goal gave Southend a 1-1 draw, a crucial point in the battle against relegation.

However it was in the LDV Vans Trophy that Broughton began to make a real stir. Southend were 2 goals to the good against Division Two side Luton Town when Broughton entered the game. Although the Shrimpers were cruising, Broughton’s goal managed to kill off the game. A superb diving header from a good Steven Clark cross.

Broughton’s form continued into the Area Semi Final against Division Two table-toppers where most fully expected the Hoops to run away with the game however Drewe had other ideas. Scoring two and bagging the Man of the Match award in a sensational 4-0 win for Southend.

So to a mouth-watering local derby with Colchester...

Who put the ball in the Col Ewe net? Drewe Broughton did...
Broughton’s first leg was to say the least eventful. With the Shrimpers drawing 1-1 Broughton headed home a rebound after Leon Cort hit the post. Southend were 2-1 up and it was a tie changing moment. However another moment that could have potentially changed the tie was the red card of Broughton. It was a pathetic sending off for two cautions. Referee, Paul Taylor clearly had a vendetta against Broughton and he was cautioned early on for what was little more than a 50:50 challenge. The second caution was for kicking the ball away. The whistle had barely gone however petty Taylor decided to dismiss Broughton. Drewe could barley believe it.

Villain one week, hero the next. Colchester levelled the tie after Kem Izzet squirmed the ball into the net underneath Darryl Flahavan. However the script was written. Drewe had a number of chances including one occasion where the ball cleared the stand. However on the stroke of half time an injured Colchester man, played Broughton onside who was clean through on goal. He hit the back of the North Bank net and sent the best part of 9,603 Roots Hall spectators absolutely mad. Southend held on and we all know the rest, a fantastic day out at Cardiff.

White Boot Broughton
Drewe wears his white boots after the LDV Vans Trophy Final
The Final against Blackpool, was a day that Broughton may want to forget. Whilst all the players must have been delighted to play at such a great stadium many, including Broughton didn’t play as well as we all know they can. Broughton is infamously remembered on this day for the white boots he chose to wear.



Drewe’s season finished very strongly as he contributed well to all the games he played in despite Southend’s season tailing off silently. Broughton helped Southend to retaining their Football League status notably on a Friday night against Scunthorpe as he scored his first League goal for Southend at Roots Hall. He also helped Southend to a great comeback against Darlington on Easter Monday as he won a penalty that helped turn the game around. Southend won 3-2 having been two goals down.

As the 2004/2005 season began Broughton looked at the forefront of Steve Tilson’s plans and turned in a great performance against Lincoln in the second game of the season. Broughton continued to turn in good performances despite missing a great chance to draw level against local rivals West Ham in the Carling Cup.

One of Drewe’s final appearances, ironically came against Colchester and in the LDV Vans Trophy. Although Broughton played only twenty seven minutes, he scored a penalty against the Ewes, albeit in a shootout. Southend, of course, won this game on penalties and now found themselves in another Area Final (this Tuesday against Bristol Rovers).

Broughton played his final game for Southend in a 4-0 loss to Darlington, not a fitting way to go out of his Southend career. Drewe was loaned out to Rushden and Diamonds where he, again scored against Colchester, this time in the F.A.Cup. That made it four in four for Drewe against Colchester, although this time Colchester proved victorious by five goals to two. Broughton returned from loan due to Rushden’s financial difficulties and was loaned again, this time to Wycombe Wanderes. Broughton failed to make an impact against Wycombe and his best moment was probably making the half time draw when Southend visited Wycombe on Boxing Day. Southend fans were very appreciative of Drewe’s work and Drewe’d his name in unison! Drewe returned again to Southend before leaving for Rushden and Diamonds on a deal to the end of the season on Thursday 10th February.

Broughton’s Southend career was short yet eventful. Whether playing brilliantly or awfully he always, always gave everything he had. Drewe got his break in the Area Final of the LDV Vans Trophy when he smashed Southend in their first National Final in the club’s 98 year history. It is for this that every Southend fan is surely in debt to Drewe. Love him or hate him, Drewe Oliver Broughton must already be placed into Southend United’s history.